And with more planned action scheduled for later this month and February, patients are being warned further disruption could occur.

Just four day case operations were cancelled at the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - responsible for hospitals in Northumberland - who said that it was largely ‘business as usual’ despite thousands of doctors taking to picket lines across the country.

In Sunderland the City Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust rescheduled one operation and 65 outpatient appointments as a result of the industrial action.

Andrea Hetherington, deputy head of Corporate Affairs, said: “We did have some junior doctors working to help ensure we were able to provide an emergency service and are pleased that we were able to minimise disruption to our patients.”

Junior Doctors went on strike for 24 hours from 8am on Tuesday following the breakdown of negotiations between the government and doctors over a new contract. Union leaders hailed the strikes across the North East as a success.

A BMA regional representative for the North East said: “Junior doctors in the North East did not take part in this industrial action lightly, it was a decision that no doctor wants to take in their career and we regret the disruption it caused. But after two years of the BMA attempting to reach a resolution there has been a complete breakdown of trust between Jeremy Hunt and junior doctors and he continues to threaten to impose an unsafe and unfair contract.”

Dr Dan Cummings said: “The support from the public has been amazing, and we had the backing and support from the hospital teams which was incredible.

“We had people dropping off hot drinks and food, telling us their stories, one lady made us cakes and said ‘This hospital saved my life I am behind you 100%’ which was just lovely.”

Patients are facing yet more disruption in the coming weeks as a 48 hour walk out is planned for Tuesday, January 26 when junior doctors will again only provide emergency care, and if an agreement is not reached by Wednesday February 10 junior doctors plan to withhold all labour, including emergency care for nine hours.

A spokesperson for NHS England, Cumbria and the North East, said: “NHS England has tried and tested plans to deal with a range of disruptions and these were put in place to deal with the industrial action by junior doctors.

“The safety and care of patients is our top priority, and those who had a procedure or treatment cancelled due to the industrial action will be contacted soon by the relevant hospital or NHS provider with information about a new appointment.”